Monday, July 22, 2013

Still in summer mode over here at Four on the Floor, but in the meantime here's some rare footage of the great Kenny Clarke with guitarist Rene Thomas to check out (in colour too!):

I don't know much about Rene Thomas except that a few years ago Montreal drummer/pianist/recording engineer Andre White played me some unreleased recordings of Thomas with Kenny Clarke that were absolutely burning (a version of "A Night in Tunisia" that featured Klook stands out in particular...) Does anybody out there have any more info about Rene Thomas and, in particular, his association with Kenny Clarke?

It's also nice to hear/see Klook playing in an organ/guitar trio format. These configurations always seem to bring out a different side of a drummer's playing, in my opinion...

This is the kind of thing I'd like to see more of, that is to say a drummer and percussionist working together to create some deep grooves. All too often either one or the other will end up over playing (as I've witnessed all too often!) I'm thinking that later this summer, when I have some time, I'll give a call to my favourite Cuban percussionists here in Calgary and get some serious rhythm sessions happening over at my place.

I recently played at the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival with Canadian alto saxophonist PJ Perry and a stellar big band. The Outer Bridge Ensemble (from New York) was the band in residence and played several shows as well as hosting a great nightly jam session at the Bassment. I was really impressed with how drummer Jerome Jennings and percussionist David Freeman really worked together, never overplaying nor stepping on either's rhythmic toes. The balance between the two was perfect. I'd venture to say that's the bar that we drummers and percussionist should strive towards when playing together. Thanks for the lesson Jerome and David!

This is a blog about jazz, jazz drumming and all things unrelated. Thanks for stopping by!

A Bit About Me...

Jonathan McCaslin was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan. Jonathan began playing the drums at the age of nine. He progressed through the Regina Lions Junior Band and the music program at his high school, Campbell Collegiate, soon developing a passion for playing the drums and jazz.Ultimately, Jon's interest in music led him to enroll in the Jazz Studies program at McGill University, graduating with distinction in 1999.

While at McGill Jon had the opportunity to study with some of the finest jazz educators in the country including Gordon Foote, Kevin Dean, Jan Jarcyzk, Chris McCann, Andre White, Michel Lambert and Dave Laing. He also attended the prestigious summer jazz workshop presented by the Banff Centre for the Arts in 1997, where he performed with Canadian jazz greats Hugh Fraser, Don Thompson and Kenny Wheeler.

In the spring of 2002 McCaslin completed his Master's in Jazz Studies at McGill University where he studied jazz drumming, improvisation and composition.

In January 2003 Jon released his debut CD, “McCallum’s Island”.Featuring his quintet, the CD contains an exciting collection of McCaslin’s original compositions, featuring himself and his band.The release of this CD was followed by a twenty-day tour of Western Canada, performing to enthusiastic, capacity audiences. During March of 2003 Jonathan was the recipient of a fellowship from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and attended the “Betty Carter Jazz Ahead” residency in Washington, D.C. Along with twenty other distinguished young jazz artists, McCaslin was featured with such jazz icons as Terence Blanchard, Carmen Lundy, Winard Harper, Curtis Fuller and John Clayton.

McCaslin’s quintet performed at the 2003 edition of the Montreal International Jazz Festival and was nominated for the General Motors Grand Prix du Festival (awarded to the most outstanding Canadian group). From 2004 until 2006, Jon toured North America, Asia and Europe with the high-energy, critically acclaimed music production troupe “Barrage”. Featuring a cast of seven world-class fiddlers and a four-piece band, this dynamic show featured high-energy music and fiddle traditions from around the world set to upbeat choreography and movement.

In 2015, Dr. McCaslin received his Doctorate through the University of Toronto and completed his dissertation on the conceptualization of contemporary melodic jazz drumming. He is currently based in Calgary, Alberta where he maintains a busy performing and teaching schedule across Canada.